Avon Obituary: Bethuel Barnum, Jr., 78

Bethuel Melvin “Mel” Barnum Jr., 78, of Avon, passed away on September 12, 2017.

Born in Kingston, NY, Mel was the beloved son of the late Anna Elizabeth and Bethuel Melvin Barnum, Sr., and a graduate of Kerhonkson High School, Kerhonkson, NY. During summers, he worked at the Nevele in Ellenville, NY.

He was a proud Fort Schuyler graduate having earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering at Maritime College of the State University of New York. He shipped out on the S.S. United States as a 3rd Assistant Engineer and was a LTJG in the United States Merchant Marine Reserve.

He had a career spanning five decades and across the globe as an engineer at Hercules Powder, Pratt & Whitney, Turbo Power & Marine, and Wood Group. He loved his profession and continued to work well past his retirement.

He always used to say he “rarely met a person he didn’t like.” Mel experienced great joy reuniting with longtime classmates, friends and family at school and family reunions. He was an active longtime member of the West Avon Congregational Church. His hobbies included sailing, skiing, and soaring, all of which gave him a sense of pleasure.

Mel is survived by his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Cheryl Bellus Barnum, his sons Erik Christopher (Jil) Barnum and Andrew Costas Bethuel (Jessica) Barnum, and his daughter Rev. Elizabeth Barnum; grandchildren, Christopher Thomas, Alexandria Marie, Nico Stephan Bethuel, and Maxmilien Robert Costas; brothers John (Lois) Barnum, Charles (Dottie) Barnum, Bob (Priscilla) Barnum and countless beloved family and friends. He was predeceased by his son Per Thomas Barnum, his previous wife Christine Basdekis Barnum, and former wife Turi Førsund.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, Avon. Burial will be private in West Avon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, Avon, CT 06001.

The Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center is caring for the arrangements.